The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has completed 841 kilometres of expressways and highways across the country, cutting travel times significantly.
Under its building projects, Ashghal built 71 schools, 13 health centers and seven hospitals, an official said yesterday.
“The Expressway Projects Department at Ashghal built about 841 km of expressways and highways, the most recent one is, for example, Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor,” said Head of Western Areas Section at Ashghal’s Roads Projects Department, Eng. Fahad Al Otaibi.
Highlighting the achievements of Ashghal during past years in a Qatar Radio programme, Al Otaibi said Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor, stretching from Hamad International Airport to Umm Lekhba Interchange (known as Landmark Interchange), passes through many vital areas and provided alternative route for 22 February Road to motorists.
To a question about the readiness of Ashghal for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Al Otaibi said: “Regarding the projects related to this mega sporting event, Ashghal was committed to build an integrated network of highways linking to eight world cup stadiums. The eight venues are served with advanced network, and about 99 percent work has been completed.”
He said the work was to coordinate with all entities concerned to ensure the accomplishment of the projects with all facilities serving FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 including metro stations and bus stops at commercial areas and tourist places. “Ashghal implemented most of the strategies of last five year plan and remaining will be accomplished in the coming years as per the plan.”
Al Otaibi said the achievements include development of roads and bridges, notably Al Majd Road, linking northern areas with the southern region by expressways.
“Al Shamal Road is developed into many lanes and bridges, enabling motorists to drive from one place to another faster,” said Al Otaibi.
The major road projects built by Ashghal, he said, are Lusail Expressway, G Ring Road, Dukhan Highway and Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor, which were developed under expressway projects.
Regarding building projects of Ashghal, Al Otaibi said: “We built 13 health centers and seven hospitals across the country in coordination with the authorities concerned. We developed six facilities for serving health sector and 71 schools and a number of public facilities.”
He said Ashghal’s Roads and Infrastructure Project provided an upgraded roads network and integrated utility services for citizens’ 24,000 subdivisions across the country during past years.
“The services included roads, lighting, landscaping, and drainage for rainwater and sewerage networks. The project continues serving more subdivisions, which will be completed on time as per the schedule.”
He said Ashghal has a Supervisory Committee for Beautification of Roads and Public Places in Qatar, which is playing a key role in making neighbourhoods environment-friendly by providing dedicated tracks for pedestrians and cyclists.
“The committee is also building parks, greeneries and landscaping, creating a culture of health and sport exercise in the community,” said Al Otaibi.
